Topic 1 - Microbial World - Clickers Flashcards
Find the mismatch (prok = prokaryote, euk = eukaryote):
a) algae - prok
b) mushroom - euk
c) archaea - prok
d) E. coli - prok
e) fungi - euk
a) algae - prok
Explanation: Algae are eukaryotic organisms, making ‘algae - prok’ the incorrect classification in this list.
What component has the lowest mass in a cell?
a) RNA
b) protein
c) lipids
d) DNA
e) sugar
d) DNA
Explanation: DNA has the lowest mass in a cell compared to other macromolecules like proteins, lipids, and RNA.
Which of the following characteristics is NOT a requirement for life?
a) DNA
b) metabolism
c) reproduction
d) growth
a) DNA
Explanation: Not all living organisms, such as RNA viruses, require DNA to function or reproduce. The other options are essential for life.
Transcription is…
a) protein synthesis from mRNA template.
b) lipid synthesis from fatty acids and glycerol.
c) RNA synthesis from DNA template.
d) carbohydrate synthesis from monosaccharides.
c) RNA synthesis from DNA template.
Explanation: Transcription is the process where RNA is synthesized from a DNA template.
Which metabolism and organism was likely associated with LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor)?
a) Heterotrophy and H2 oxidizer
b) Heterotrophy and Cyanobacteria
c) Autotrophy and H2 oxidizer
d) Autotrophy and Cyanobacteria
e) None of the above
c) Autotrophy and H2 oxidizer
Explanation: LUCA likely relied on autotrophic metabolism and utilized hydrogen (H2) as an energy source in a primitive environment.
Which metabolism and microorganism first contributed to O2 in our atmosphere?
a) Autotrophy and H2 oxidizer
b) Autotrophy and Cyanobacteria
c) Heterotrophy and H2 oxidizer
d) None of the above
e) Heterotrophy and Cyanobacteria
b) Autotrophy and Cyanobacteria
Explanation: Cyanobacteria are credited with producing the first oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere through oxygenic photosynthesis, revolutionizing life on Earth.
You discover a new microorganism. It has histones and a single RNA polymerase that looks a lot like the one that you might find in fungi – what is it?
a) eukaryote
b) archaea
c) bacteria
b) archaea
Explanation: Archaea share similarities with eukaryotes, such as histones and certain aspects of transcription, setting them apart from bacteria.
RNA likely played an important role in life’s origins because it:
a) degrades rapidly
b) looks like DNA
c) carries amino acids
d) can replicate itself
d) can replicate itself
Explanation: RNA is thought to be central to the origin of life because of its ability to store information and catalyze its own replication, a key feature of the RNA world hypothesis.
______________ was primarily responsible for identifying the domain Archaea.
a) Robert Koch
b) Carl Woese
c) Anton van Leeuwenhoek
d) Louis Pasteur
b) Carl Woese
Explanation: Carl Woese identified the domain Archaea using rRNA sequencing, fundamentally changing our understanding of the tree of life.
Carl Woese used what molecule to identify the domain Archaea?
a) eRNA
b) tRNA
c) mRNA
d) rRNA
e) iRNA
d) rRNA
Explanation: rRNA was used by Carl Woese because it is a conserved molecule across all forms of life, making it an excellent marker for evolutionary studies.
If microorganisms were to disappear tomorrow, what would you notice first?
a) All of the above
b) Can’t eat
c) None of the above
d) Weigh less
e) Can’t breathe
d) Weigh less
Explanation: Microorganisms are vital for maintaining Earth’s systems. Their absence would alter body weight due to missing gut microbes.
Bacterial fossils from 3 billion years ago? What are they?
a) H2 oxidizers
b) mitochondria
c) fungi
d) cyanobacteria
e) fermenters
d) cyanobacteria
Explanation: Cyanobacteria are known as some of the oldest fossils on Earth, contributing to early photosynthesis.
Infectious diseases are no longer a public health concern because of the development of antibiotics, vaccines, and improvements in water quality and food handling/processing.
a) True
b) False
b) False
Explanation: False: Infectious diseases still pose public health concerns despite advancements in medicine and sanitation.
Which of the following characteristics make microbes excellent model systems for experimentation?
a) Long generation times means numerous offspring in a short period of time.
b) All microbes are easy to culture in the laboratory.
c) Microbial genomes are relatively big with many genes to manipulate.
d) All are correct.
e) All are false.
a) Long generation times means numerous offspring in a short period of time.
Explanation: Microbes’ short generation times and adaptability make them ideal model systems for studying biological processes.
Which metabolism generates the most ATP?
a) Fermentation
b) Aerobic respiration
c) Anaerobic respiration
d) Glycolysis
b) Aerobic respiration
Explanation: Aerobic respiration generates the most ATP because it uses oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor, allowing for a highly efficient production of energy.
Pasteur’s contributions to microbiology includes…
a) proof for the theory of spontaneous generation.
b) development of a vaccine for anthrax.
c) the discovery of archaea.
d) the first observation of bacteria under a microscope.
e) development of an experimental approach to prove causative agents of disease.
b) development of a vaccine for anthrax.
Explanation: Pasteur is credited for developing a vaccine for anthrax among many contributions, showcasing his work in immunology and microbiology.
Robert Hooke was the first to give a description of a microbe. What form of eukaryotic cells did he observe through his microscope?
a) Protozoa
b) Slime molds
c) Fungus
d) Algae
e) Bacteria
c) Fungus
Explanation: Robert Hooke described mold structures, which are a type of fungus, in his observations, marking an important moment in microbiology history.
Who was the first to provide a written description of bacteria?
a) Robert Hooke
b) Ferdinand Cohn
c) Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
d) Martinus Beijerinck
e) Sergei Winogradsky
c) Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
Explanation: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is known as the ‘father of microbiology’ for his detailed descriptions of bacteria using a self-designed microscope.
Barry Marshall fulfilled Koch’s postulates and identified Helicobacter pylori as the causative agent of stomach ulcers.
a) True
b) Trueish
b) Trueish
Explanation: While Barry Marshall did fulfill Koch’s postulates and identify Helicobacter pylori as a cause of stomach ulcers, the term ‘trueish’ acknowledges nuances such as the role of other factors like stress and diet in ulcer development.
